for more than 170 years vmi has done more than educated students. guided their transformation to citizens, lawyers and leaders. vmi graduates have served with honor in our nation's defense just as many are doing today in afghanistan and other lands. and since september 11th attacks, many of vmi's sons and daughters have defended america and i mourn with you the 15 brave souls who have been lost. i join you in praying for the many vmi graduates who are right now serving in harm's way. may god bless all who serve and all who have served. of all the vmi graduates none is more distinguished perhaps than general george marshal, the chief of staff of the army who became secretary of state and secretary of defense. who helped vanquish fascism and planned europe's rescue from despair. his commitment to peace was born of his direct knowledge of the awful costs and consequences of war. general marshall once said, quote, the only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it. those words were true in his time and they are true in our time. last month our nat